"I've had a complex relationship with this statue," Beaufoy said to a packed Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden. "I have a plastic one that I bought from eBay, a chocolate one that I stole from the dinner one year and now, well …"

"Slumdog" producer Christian Colson hopes his trip to the podium for the best-film nod will be repeated Feb. 22 at the Oscars. The BAFTAs are presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Mickey Rourke's career rehabilitation continued apace, slamming home the evening's lead actor prize for his performance as a washed-up grappler in "The Wrestler."

The Brits demanded a less gushing acceptance from Kate Winslet for her turn as a former Nazi guard in "The Reader," which secured her the lead actress award.

Perhaps the evening's least surprising decision saw the late Heath Ledger's turn as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" earn the supporting actor nod.

Best supporting actress was handed to Penelope Cruz for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Martin McDonagh accepted the original screenplay award for "In Bruges," and Beaufoy took the adapted screenplay nod.

The BAFA for outstanding British film went to the James Marsh-helmed documentary "Man on Wire," one of two awards given specifically for U.K. endeavors. In the other exclusively British category, artist-turned-director Steve McQueen ("Hunger") took home the Carl Foreman Award for special achievement by a British director, writer or producer on their first feature film.

Nominated in 11 categories, David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" scored three wins — for production design, makeup and hair and special visual effects.

The trophy for best non-English-language movie went to Philippe Claudel's "I've Loved You So Long," and Andrew Stanton's "WALL-E" tidied its way to a win in the animated feature category. (partialdiff)